Mar 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a police officer at a protest staged by the residents of Hanwella.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said the two main suspects over the killing of the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Borella Police Station Prasad Siriwardena have been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today.

OIC Siriwardena was critically injured when a tree chopped by the suspects and thrown onto the main highway fell on the officer who was assisting the police to remove the roadblocks set up by the residents. The officer succumbed to his injuries upon admission to the Avissawella Hospital.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters who were demanding the closure of a rubber factory that they claim pollute the water in the area. The protesters blocked the main High Level Road causing heavy traffic congestion.

Over 20 people involved in the protest were arrested over the incident but most of them were later released.

Siriwardena was posthumously promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).